If you’re like thousands of others this year, you grew a garden. How can you not living in New England? At Tammaros Cucina, we appreciate freshly grown ingredients as much as the next person. Whether you’re looking for the best ‘Italian restaurants near me’ or a way to impress family and friends at home, there’s nothing quite like fresh ingredients that you can taste.
This time of year many gardeners are bursting at the seams with tomatoes and basil. A perfect combination to whip a fresh batch of homemade bruschetta! Although we never reveal our family recipes, we’re providing you with this authentic recipe that’s easy to make, and will put those fresh veggies to good use!
Ingredients
- 4 freshly picked from the vine tomatoes
- 8 diced, freshly picked basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons of pure extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar
- Sliced Italian style baguette
Time to get to work
There are several variations when it comes to dicing your tomatoes. If you’re not a fan of the skin, you’ll want to parboil them for 30 seconds, drain, and let cool. This process will allow for quick and easy skin removal. However, if the skin is not a concern, grab a knife and begin dicing away. As you dice the tomatoes, separate excess juices and seeds whenever possible. Depending on the type of tomato you grew, this may be easier with some than others.
Once your tomatoes are diced, place them in a large mixing bowl. Next, you’ll add the basil, oregano, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Gently mix the ingredients and allow the tomatoes to rest for at least 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
While your mixture sets, slice and toast your loaf. Although we prefer a freshly baked Italian loaf, a French baguette or other crusty-style bread also works wonderfully. Before toasting (or grilling), rub your loaf with a freshly sliced garlic clove to complement the flavors of your bruschetta.
Top your bread with a teaspoon of bruschetta and finish with a basil leaf for decoration. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar will also enhance the flavor to the highest levels.
Enjoy!
A classic appetizer that everyone enjoys, bruschetta is a sure way to impress guests on the fly. Here at Tammaros Cucina, we also strive to leave a lasting impression with our guests. With freshly made meals from only the finest available ingredients, you can have confidence that at Tammaros, you’ll leave more than happy, you’ll leave feeling like family!
Next time you find yourself searching for ‘Italian restaurants near me,’ do yourself a favor and stop into Tammaros Cucina! As one of Litchfield’s best kept secrets, you will be wishing you found our kitchen sooner!
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